Our Family's Earth Hour

Imagine two adults, two teenage girls, and one 12 year old boy sitting around the dining room table in the dark playing cards by candlelight. This was the scene last year at my house on Earth Hour, the hour designated by some environmental group (I'm not sure of the origin) to turn off all electrical devices. We were pushed into doing this by our 12 year old environmental activist. As the highly anticipated hour approached, we ran around the house turning off lights and computers, and my husband attached a headlamp to his hat, which created the effect of a cave spelunker running around room by room. Our dogs looked at us like, "why are all of you sitting in the dark?"

Well, once we got used to reading our cards by our candles, we spent not only one hour in the dark, but two or three more, because we were having so much fun and frivolity. The wine and beer helped set the mood, at least for those of us adults. The laughs were plentiful and we all had a grand time.

I write about this because we are now approaching 2010's Earth Hour. It will be March 27 at 8:30 pm. Along with our recycling efforts and hoarding skills (I don't throw anything away that can be reused), we will be doing our little part in reducing climate change and saving the planet. My son feels so strongly about this that he edited my blog yesterday and added an Earth Hour graphic to the right-hand side if you scroll down a bit. He continually pushes us on this issue, which is good, because you need a little kick in the butt once in awhile. If it weren't for him, it would be easy to just let that hour go by and take no action. He demands more from us, and I admire his passion and drive.

So, if you aren't doing anything on March 27 at 8:30 pm, or even if you are, turn off your lights and sit in the dark for the hour. My son and the world will thank you.